Day 53 Part 2 Alma 42

In Alma 42, Alma explained to his son why this mortal life became a probation for us after the fall.  That because Adam and Eve  had to be cast out of the garden or live forever in their sin as fallen beings, there needed to be a way for us to repent and receive remission of our sins through the Atonement and our Savior's living sacrifice for sin.  

In our fallen state, we would never be able to live with God because we are unclean and "natural enemies to God" and "No unclean thing can dwell with God".  Because of this, Jesus Christ decended below all men and made a way for us to be saved and exalted.  Unless he did this, there would have been no repentance and no restitution of our mortal life. 

Adam and Eve brought mortality and spiritual death upon themselves by their transgressions and disobedience.  This is why there is no Salvation without Jesus for any of us.  Physical and Spiritual Death came to stay and could only be overcome by Jesus Christ.

Our souls never die, and man was marked for Spiritual Death because of being mortal and becoming fallen.  Our souls would be miserable being cut off from God.  Spiritual  Death would occur if we didn't have a way made for us to be with God again.  I know I would feel misery without never being able to be with Heavenly Father and Jesus! 

Repentance is such a beautiful gift!  Justice would say God would cut us off forever due to our fallen nature, but Mercy gave us a way back to him through Jesus Christ.

Alma 42:23-24 says, "23 But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice.

24 For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved.

Because only those who repent are saved, exalted, and sanctified, there is punishment for those who do not want to repent. God does not take away consequences of our agency.  Alma finishes talking to his son with comfort telling him to teach repentance to the people, don't worry about anything but repenting of his sins, and in that way the Plan of Redemption can make its claim on him!